This is my theme for 2010 complete with a 1970’s rock video from the group Boston (a short live version):

Last year at this time I remember saying I wish that we could go back to a time when as kids there were “do overs”. Those were the best. You could call “do over” whenever you wanted.

I still wish we could go back to those days. I suppose in some ways we can. We can try something again. We can try things a different way. We can say we are sorry.

My meaning though was I wanted to do 2008 over. I made some mistakes and I wanted to make them right. Then I thought a better theme would be “no regrets”. And that is what I did in 2009. I made some changes. I tried new things. I went back to people I had been frustrated with and rebuilt bridges.

I do not have many regrets for 2009. I have done the best I can for my family, friends and business. I have made the best choices I can with what I knew at the time. There are the usual personal ones that come up from time to time but most of those have been taken care of too.

This nearly two year recession (it is that long for us search firm folks) has caused some issues with bills being paid late. I learned post 9/11 that search firm folks tend to be the last to get paid and when you are a “one man band” two or three late or non paying customers can be “lethal” to doing the business. This recession has been no different.

Thankfully the rest of those issues are soon to be cleared up.

So that gets me to 2010 and “Why Don’t Look Back” fits me. I have always been a bit of a late bloomer. It has taken me a long time to figure me out personally and professionally. Working on my own and through a second recession has allowed me to really get to know who I am from the really good parts to those really dark “places” we all try to push back into the corner.

I know this, for the most part I like the man I have become.

I turn 40 this year and while a big deal for a lot of folks not so much for me. However, I am planning a big party with the theme of “The Next 40 years”. I want to get a large group of people together and celebrate not my birthday but celebrate my family and friends, be together and enjoy each others company. I know how lucky I am to have the people around me and this will be a chance for me to say thank you.

I think I finally figure out this thing called life. Well, as much as a guy can.

So I am going to take what I have learned, start trusting my gut more, lean on my friends a bit and see what happens.

No do overs, no regrets and no looking back.

Whatever you wish for and whatever big plans you have for 2010 I hope that you at least get what you need.

Best Wishes to you and your families in 2010.

Cue the next video...

And lyrics:

Don't look back A new day is breakin' It's been too long since I felt this way I don't mind where I get taken The road is callin' Today is the day I can see It took so long just to realize I'm much too strong Not to compromise Now I see what I am is holding me down I'll turn it around, oh yes I will I finally see the dawn arrivin' I see beyond the road I'm drivin' It's a bright horizon and I'm awakin' now Oh I see myself in a brand new way The sun is shinin' The clouds are breakin' 'Cause I can't lose now, there's no game to play I can tell There's no more time left to criticize I've seen what I could not recognize Everthing in my life was leading me on But I can be strong, oh yes i can I finally see the dawn arrivin' I see beyond the road I'm drivin' Far away and left behind, left behind Oh the sun is shinin' *and I wanna go* (guitar solo) Don't look back A new day is breakin' It's been too long since I felt this way I don't mind where I get taken The road is callin' Today is the day I can see It took so long just to realize I'm much too strong Not to compromise Now I see what I am is holding me down I'll turn it around, oh yes I will I finally see the dawn arriving I see beyond the road I'm driving Far away and left behind Don't look back Don't look back Don't look back Don't look back...

About & Connect

Welcome to the Minnesota Headhunter Blog. My name is Paul DeBettignies (pronounced De-Bett-ingz). I started writing in 2005 to share thoughts and ideas I had as an IT recruiter.

Since then I expanded this site to include MN IT and Recruiter Jobs, links to Minnesota business news and promote the local tech community.

I am the Principal of Minnesota Headhunter, LLC. I am an Evangelist and Advisor who builds teams with startups and tech companies, creates recruiting strategies for Fortune 500 clients and a frequent local and national speaker and article contributor on recruiter, HR, career, networking and social media topics.